A Country of Vast Designs

James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent

By: Robert W. Merry

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 18 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

When James K. Polk was elected president in 1844, the United States was locked in a bitter diplomatic struggle with Britain over the rich lands of the Oregon Territory, which included what is now Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Texas, not yet part of the Union, was threatened by a more powerful Mexico. And the territories north and west of Texas - what would become California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and part of Colorado - belonged to Mexico.

When Polk relinquished office four years later, the country had grown by more than a third as all these lands were added. The continental United States as we know it today was established - facing two oceans and positioned to dominate both.

In a one-term presidency, Polk completed the story of America's Manifest Destiny - extending its territory across the continent, from sea to sea, by threatening England and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico that Abraham Lincoln, in Congress at the time, opposed as preemptive.

Robert W. Merry tells this story through powerful debates and towering figures: the outgoing President John Tyler and Polk's great mentor, Andrew Jackson; his defeated Whig opponent, Henry Clay; two famous generals, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott; Secretary of State James Buchanan (who would precede Lincoln as president); Senate giants Thomas Hart Benton and Lewis Cass; Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun; and ex-president Martin Van Buren, like Polk a Jackson protégé, but now a Polk rival.

This was a time of tremendous clashing forces. A surging antislavery sentiment was at the center of the territorial fight. The struggle between a slave-owning South and an opposing North was leading inexorably to Civil War. In a gripping narrative, Merry illuminates this crucial epoch in U.S. history.

©2009 Robert Merry (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“A compelling, perceptive portrait of one of the oddest men ever to occupy the White House.” ( The Wall Street Journal)

"A crucial architect of modern America, James K. Polk deserves to be elevated out of the mists of history. In this engaging book, Robert Merry does just that, recapturing the passions and personalities of a forgotten era in American life." (Jon Meacham, author of American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House)

"Polk was our most underrated president. He made the United States into a continental nation. Bob Merry captures the controversial and the visionary aspects of his presidency in a colorful narrative populated by great characters such as Jackson, Clay, and Van Buren." (Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and Universe)

A Decent Overview of Polk's Presidency

I initially started this book expecting it to be Polk's biography, but the book focuses almost exclusively on the events surrounding and during Polk's presidency. This is not a problem as the book is still fascinating, but readers should be aware of this before they purchase the book.

I would have given this book 4 stars except that it focuses way too much on the insignificant politics of Polk's presidency to the point where it almost seems like a giant episode of the West Wing involving characters to whom you feel no particular connection.

Overall, A Country of Vast Designs is a book worth reading for anyone interested in Polk's presidency or the politics of the Mexican American War.

Stellar history narrative

Combines engaging text with excellent narration. Delivers a comprehensive and detailed look at how the U.S. expanded to the Pacific, expertly weaving in the first rumblings of the coming Civil War. Highly recommended by this history buff!

Great read

I had no idea how important this president was. Glad to know now. Thanks audible.

A Long forgotten President

Whose foresight, policies and legacy belie his relative obscurity. Glad to hear this book. Good history, engaging writing and superior detail…plus an inescapable conclusion that flies in the face of the current inclination to find everything “American” bad and everything Mexican good. Highly recommended.

Very well written and read

This is a very interesting book on an often overlooked and misunderstood chapter in our American history. this book is very well written and I absolutely loved the narration as well. bravo!!

A president no one knows of

One of the best president in our history. I didn’t realize what a good president he was

Good, not great

The book is a little dry at times and the reading leaves something to be desired, but this is a solid, fair biography of a neglected President.

Very Interesting

Exceptional rendering of the character and accomplishments of President Polk, a man who is not often mentioned in terms of actual contributions to our history.

Understanding an important American Figure

An important read (and listen) of a forgotten president who had an enormous, positive impact on the US.

Very dry.

What made the experience of listening to A Country of Vast Designs the most enjoyable?

I was very interested in this period of American history.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He sounded like he was reading a news cast.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Bring a glass of water.